The Wilton murder trial of a Cork man accused of killing his wife has taken a harrowing turn after jurors were played a chilling 999 call in which the accused reportedly told Gardaí: “I killed my wife.”

Regin Parithapara Rajan, a 43-year-old father, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, charged with the murder of his 38-year-old wife, Deepa Paruthiyezhuth Dinamani, at their family home in Wilton, Cork, in 2021. The prosecution alleges that Rajan intentionally and unlawfully caused his wife’s death by stabbing her multiple times in their bedroom during a domestic dispute.

The Night of the Incident

The tragedy occurred on the evening of September 4, 2021, at the couple’s home in Wilton. Evidence presented in court revealed that Deepa was discovered lying on a bed in an upstairs room with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Shortly after the killing, Rajan walked to Togher Garda Station and handed himself in. A recording of a call made shortly before that walk-in was played to the court this week, during which the accused allegedly stated: “I’ve done something awful. I killed my wife.”

The Disturbing 999 Call

In the audio played for the jury, Rajan is heard calmly giving his name and address, saying: “My name is Regin Rajan. I stabbed my wife. She is upstairs.” Call handlers attempted to confirm the details, asking him to stay put — but instead, he made his way to the station, where he presented himself without resistance.

Detective Garda Darren Dorgan testified that Rajan was “quiet and cooperative” when he arrived and repeated the confession. “He told me he had an argument with his wife and stabbed her,” the detective said. “He admitted he had come straight from the house.”

Forensics and Post-Mortem Details

The court heard that a kitchen knife was recovered from the scene, covered in blood. DNA evidence linked the weapon directly to Rajan. The post-mortem revealed multiple stab wounds to the neck and chest area as the cause of Deepa’s death.

The couple’s young children were not home at the time. Friends and neighbours told Gardaí that the couple had been living in Cork for several years and were known to be private but polite. While there were no reports of previous domestic violence, witnesses described a tense atmosphere in the weeks leading up to the incident.

The Defence and Psychiatric Argument

Rajan has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, claiming diminished responsibility. His defence counsel presented evidence from a consultant forensic psychiatrist who diagnosed him with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and emotional distress at the time of the killing. The psychiatrist stated Rajan may have experienced a “dissociative episode” during the attack.

However, the prosecution disputes this, arguing that Rajan’s deliberate actions — including making the call and walking to the Garda station to confess — showed clear intent, planning, and understanding of the seriousness of his actions.

The prosecution maintains that this was a deliberate killing rooted in unresolved marital conflict, not an episode of lost control.

Deepa’s Family Devastated

Members of Deepa’s family were present in the courtroom as the recording was played. Her sister described her as a “loving mother and kind-hearted woman who lived for her children.” Friends from the local community have paid tribute to Deepa, calling her “a quiet, strong presence who will be deeply missed.”

The courtroom fell silent during the playing of the 999 call. Many were visibly emotional as Rajan’s voice echoed through the room, speaking plainly about the killing.

A Case That Gripped Cork

The trial has gripped Cork and sparked wider conversations around domestic violence, mental health, and support services. With a verdict yet to be reached, the jury will be tasked with determining whether Rajan’s mental state at the time was such that it reduces his culpability — or whether this was, as the prosecution insists, an intentional act of murder.

As the case continues, the court — and the public — await the final outcome in the tragic killing of Deepa Paruthiyezhuth Dinamani.

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